On May 7th Hormel Foods Corporation opened the Inspired Beginnings Learning Academy for the children of company employees in Austin, MN. The center, extending over 13,000 square feet cost $5 million and will be operated by Bright Horizons, a major provider of employer-sponsored childcare.
Angie Bissen, HR Manager for Hormel Foods, stated, “We are always striving to ensure Austin, MN. and the surrounding areas are a prime destination for top talent.” She added, “One of the main insights gathered from our research and from other employers in the area is the critical importance of accessible childcare options.”
The programs to be presented at the Beginnings Learning Academy will provide children with the socialization and skills to compete and excel when they enter elementary school.
The need for childcare is clearly indicated by the cost of both private and commercial services. In many cases, it does not pay parents to both work given the costs associated with commuting and childcare for families with preschoolers. The example established by Hormel Foods and other employers should be more widely emulated.